A large-bodied salamander. Terrestrial adults have a light brown to dark brown dorsum with a yellowish to orange belly. The skin is dry with small bumps or warts and costal grooves are not visible. The eyes are large and the lower eyelids are yellow. Adult males in the breeding season develop smooth or slimy skin, a lighter body color, enlarged tail fins, and swollen cloacal glands (Storer, 1925; Stebbins, 1985). Adults are 6.9 - 8.7 cm snout to vent lenght (12.5 - 20 cm total length) (Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998). Two allopatric subspecies are currently recognized based on geographic distribution (see below) and coloration. Taricha t. sierrae, the Sierra newt, is reddish to chocolate brown dorsally and burnt orange to yellow below. The eyelids and snout have conspicuous light coloring. Taricha t. torosa, the Coast Range newt, is yellowish to dark brown dorsally and pale yellow to orange ventrally. The eyelids and snout are not as conspicuously colored as in T. t. sierrae. (Riemer 1958; Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998). Hatchlings are 10-14 mm total length. The larvae are pond type with bushy gills, balancer organs and a well-developed dorsal tail fin which extends forward to the shoulder region (Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998). The dorsum of larvae is light yellow with two dark, narrow bands (Riemer 1958; Stebbins 1985).

Taricha torosa may be distinguished from close relatives (T. granulosa and T. rivularis) by the Y-shaped pattern of the vomerine teeth, the light-colored lower eyelids, relatively large eyes, and lack of a tomato red belly. The defensive posture differs between T. torosa and T. granulosa (see below) (Petranka 1998).
 
Extremely warty newts found in many localities in San Diego Co. have been described as a separate subspecies, T. t. klauberi (Riemer 1958). This subspecies is not currently recognized because the presence of warts is thought to be caused by a pathogenic agent (Stebbins 1951; 1985). Some authors have suggested recognizing the coastal and sierran forms as separate species (e.g. Collins 1991), but this suggestion has not been widely accepted (e.g. Petranka 1998).

See other subspecies accounts at www.californiaherps.com: T. t. sierrae and T. t. torosa.

Range includes the coast ranges of California, from Mendocino County southward to Los Angeles County and disjunctly south to the Cayumaca Mountains in San Diego County; also the southern Sierra Nevada from Tulare County to Kern County (Kuchta and Tan 2006). Taricha sierrae hybridizes with T. torosa in the southern Sierra Nevada (Kaweah River area) (Kuchta 2007).

The California Newt Taricha torosa is one of 5 members of the newt family (Salamandridae) which inhabit California. The California Newt is primarily located on the Coastal Range of California from Humbolt County to the Mexican border. Other isolated populations are also located in California, along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Petranka, 1998; Stebbins 1985; Dudek and Assoc., Inc. 2000).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

endemic to a single state or province

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)) Range includes the coast ranges of California, from Mendocino County southward to Los Angeles County and disjunctly south to the Cayumaca Mountains in San Diego County; also the southern Sierra Nevada from Tulare County to Kern County (Kuchta and Tan 2006). Taricha sierrae hybridizes with T. torosa in the southern Sierra Nevada (Kaweah River area) (Kuchta 2007).

The Coast Range newt, T. t. torosa, ranges from Mendocino Co. south through the Coast Range to the western slope of the Peninsular ranges in San Diego Co. The southern-most locality (San Diego Co.) is isolated geographically from the remaining coastal populations. A gap in the distribution also exists in Santa Barbara Co. (Jennings and Hayes 1994; Stebbins 1985). The Sierra newt, T. t. sierrae, has a disjunct population in Shasta Co. and ranges along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada south to Kern Co. (Stebbins 1985).

Terrestrial adults are found in mesic forests in relatively mountainous areas of northern California. Further south, they can be found in drier habitats such as oak woodlands or hilly grasslands. Sierran populations are found in habitats dominated by conifers (digger pines-blue oak and ponderosa pine communities) (Petranka 1998). Breeding sites include ponds, reservoirs, and slow moving streams. Sierran populations breed in faster moving streams than coastal populations (Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998).

The adult California Newt is typically 12.5-20 cm (4.9-7.8 inches) in total length with males slightly larger than females. California Newts vary in color from a yellowish brown to a dark brown warty textured skin dorsally and a pale yellow to orange bottom on its ventral side. The aquatic larvae have a black stripe on either side of their dorsal fins and have gills in younger stages of development. They have large eyes that protrude beyond the edge of their head and light colored lower eyelids. (Petranka, 1998; Stebbins & Cohen, 1998).

Syntype for Taricha torosa
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Locality: San Francisco, California, United States, North America

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater

The California Newt of the northern population prefers the mesic forests as opposed to the southern population newts which prefer a drier climate (Petranka, 1998).

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Comments: When not breeding, coast range newts occupy various upland habitats such as grassland, woodland, and forest(Storer 1925, Petranka 1998, Stebbins 2003, Kuchta 2005).. Breeding occurs in ponds, reservoirs, and streams. Eggs are attached to sticks, stones, or vegetation in flowing or nonflowing water; fast-moving streams and rivers are used more often in southern California mountains than elsewhere in the range.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Coast range newts sometimes migrate long distances (up to around two miles) between nonbreeding uplands habitats and distant aquatic breeding sites, though movements may be much shorter when conditions near breeding sites are favorable. Unfortunately, many are killed on roads as they make their migrations.

The diet of an adult California Newt consists of earthworms, snails, slugs, and sowbugs. Adult newts have also been known to cannibalize their own eggs and larvae. There is little known about the diets of the California Newt during the larvae stage.

 The California Newt has an adhesive texture to its tongue and projects it out to capture its prey.

(Petranka, 1998; Dudek and Assoc., Inc. 2000, Deban 1996).

Comments: Metamorphosed individuals eat earthworms, snails, slugs, sowbugs, and various insects; adults, especially females, may eat conspecific eggs. Larvae eat small aquatic organisms and decomposing organic material (Stebbins 1951).

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 - 300

Comments: This species is represented by many and/or large occurrences throughout most of the range.

100,000 - 1,000,000 individuals

Comments: Total adult population size is unknown but surely exceeds 100,000. This species is common in many parts of its range.

Comments: Coast range newts are inactive in cold temperatures or hot, dry weather. They often are active in daylight during the rainy season.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 21.8 years.

Maximum longevity: 21.8 years (captivity)

Mating for the California Newt takes place from December to early May. The California Newt often migrates back to breed where they developed as larvae. Courtship of the California Newt involves a dance ritual in which the male mounts the female and rubs his chin over her nose and flutters his tail. After approximately an hour the male dismounts and leaves a spermatophore, in the form of a small mound, for the female move over and retrieve with her cloaca. The female California Newt will lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams in water typically not deeper than 15 cm (5 inches). They lay from 7-30 eggs (approximately 1.9-2.8mm in diameter), attached to exposed roots or unattached on the bottom. The eggs are protected by a gel-like membrane that is toxic. The incubation period is usually 14-21 days and often longer depending on weather conditions. The size and amount of time in the larvae stage depends on the food sources and environmental conditions of their habitat (Petranka, 1998; Duellman, 1986).

Coast range newts migrate seasonally between upland habitats and aquatic breeding sites. Generally they begin moving to water with the first fall rains. Breeding occurs from December to May (peak February-April). Individual females lay 1 or 2 dozen eggs in spherical masses. Larvae hatch in about 4-8 weeks. Larvae transform in late summer or early fall or when the water dries up. Metamorphosed juveniles live several years on land before maturing and returning to water to breed.

The California Newt is not currently listed as an endangered species but there is to be a significant problem in the Santa Monica Mountains with non-native crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and mosquitofish (Gambusia affiinis) feeding on the eggs and larvae of the California Newt. (Petranka, 1998).

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Population

Population Trend

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable to decline of 30%

Comments: Currently relatively stable in extent of occurrence; probably relatively stable to slowly declining in population size, area of occurrence, and number/condition of occurrences.

Global Long Term Trend: Increase of 10-25% to decline of 30%

Comments: Over the long term, likely relatively stable in extent of occurrence, probably less than 25% decline in population size, area of occurrence, and number/condition of occurrences. Many historical occurrences in San Diego County appear to be extirpated.

The breeding season ranges from late December and early May, depending on location, and lasts 6-12 weeks. Breeding aggregations form primarily in ponds and lakes. Stream-breeding is more common in sierran populations and tends to occur late in the season for coastal populations. Courtship involves amplexus of the female by the male who then rubs his head on hers. Eventually the male deposits a spermatophore on the substrate which the female picks up in her cloaca. Shortly after mating, the female lays her eggs in small clusters containing 7-30 eggs. Time to hatching ranges from 2 weeks to 2 1/2 months, depending on water temperature. Diet items include earthworms, snails, slugs, insects, and conspecific eggs and larvae. See Petranka (1998) for references.

All species of Taricha possess the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, that is used as an antipredator defense (Brodie et al. 1974). Tetrodotoxin is also harmful to humans (e.g. Petranka 1998). When harassed, Taricha assume the "unken reflex" where the head is raised, the tail is turned up and held straight over the body, the limbs are extended, and the eyes are closed (Riemer 1958; Brodie 1977). This action exposes the bright aposomatic coloration found on the newt's belly. The exact pattern of this reflex is a species-specific character, distinguishable from sympatric T. granulosa, which curls the tip of the tail (Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998).

Major Threats

Comments: Under natural conditions, solar UV-B radiation reduces embryo survival; effects at the population level remain to be determined (Anzalone et al. 1998).

Introduced crayfish and mosquitofish (Gambusia) prey on eggs and larvae and have caused local population declines in southern California (Gamradt and Kats 1996). Introduced fishes likely have a negative impact in some bodies of water.

Locally, population have been reduced or eliminated as a result of habitat degradation or loss caused by conversion of habitat to human uses and to a much lesser degree by large-scale commercial exploitation (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Increased stream sedimentation resulting from erosion caused by human activities and wildlfires (Gamradt and Kats 1997, Kerby and Kats 1998) has degraded breeding habitat in some areas (Jennings and Hayes 1994).

Many are killed on roads as they move between uplands and aquatic breeding sites.

Loss and degradation of stream habitats, and predation on eggs and larvae by introduced predators such as crayfish and mosquitofish, are a serious concern for populations of T. t. torosa in southern California (Jennings and Hayes 1994; Gamradt and Kats 1996). Road-kill is also a large source of adult mortality. Furthermore, UV-B radiation has been shown to cause reduced hatching success (Anzalone et al. 1998; Blaustein et al. 1998).

Conservation Actions

No known relation.

Comments: Taricha sierrae formerly was recognized as a subspecies of Taricha torosa.

Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA data (Tan and Wake 1995) revealed the following clusters in T. torosa: (1) northern Sierra Nevada (Shasta to Nevada counties); (2) central Sierra Nevada (El Dorado to Fresno counties); (3) southern Sierra Nevada (Tulare to Kern counties) (independently derived relative to 1 and 2, above); (4) southern coastal California (San Diego and Orange counties); (5) central coastal California (Los Angeles to central and northern California). This study and additional allozyme data (Kuchta and Tan 2006) provided the basis for a phylogeographical history of T. torosa. Among other things, the data are consistent in indicating that populations in the southern Sierra Nevada are more closely related to T. torosa torosa than to T. t. sierrae.

In the interests of taxonomic stability, Kuchta and Tan (2006) refrained from advocating changes in the taxonomic status of Taricha torosa torosa and Taricha torosa sierrae, pending completion and publication of ongoing studies.

Kuchta (2007) examined genetic and morphological variation in Taricha torosa and concluded that T. torosa and T. sierrae are distinct evolutionary lineages that should be recognized as distinct species.